James m



(No Model.)

' J. M. BASINGER.

yTRACE GOUPLING.

No. 272,624. Y n Patented Feb.20, 1883.

Unirse STAT-Rs PATENT GFFICR.

-JAMEs M.RAs1NenR,OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AssiGNOR OF'ONE FOURTH TO PRATT a Ln'rcnwORTn, OF SAME PLAGE.

TRACE-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,624, dated February 20, 1883. Application filed October 21, 18852. (No model.)

To all ywhom it may concern Beit known that I, JAMES M. BAslNGER, ot

the city of Buffalo, iu the county ot' Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Couplings for Traces,

Sto., of which the following is a specification.

y This invention relates to an improvement in clasps or couplings designed for use on traces and other harness-straps 'for the purpose of atro taching cockeyes, hooks, buckles, or other contrivances of this sort, to the end ofthe traces or straps.

The object Ot' the invention is to construct the clasp or coupling in such manner that the cockeye, buckle, or other device which is attached to the trace by means of the clasp or coupling can be readilyremoved and another device substituted in its place.

My invention consists ot' the peculiar construction of the clasp or coupling` whereby this end is accomplished,'as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an edge view, Fig.2 a longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation, Otl my improved coupling. Fig. 4t is an end view thereofl with the cockeye turned to one side. Fig. 5 is a crosssection in line m x, Fig. 3. Figs. 6 and 7 are edge views of the two parts of the coupling detached. Fig. 8 is a perspective view, showing the two parts ofthe coupling partially put together. Fig. 9 is an edge view of the cockeye. Fig. l0 is a side elevation of the end of the coupling, showing a hook substituted for the cockeye.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents a trace, tug, Or other harness strap, to the end of which a cockeye, B, or a hook, buckle, or other similar fastening device, is designed to be attached.

C C represent two metallic plates adapted to be placed against opposite sides of the trace, tug, or strap'A, and secured thereto by means of a screw or rivet, d.

c c are lianges formed, respectively, on the longitudinal edges of the plates U C', so as to overlap the edges oi' the trace, tug, or strap and come in contact with each other when the two plates C G are secured to the trace, thereby forming a metallic casing inclosing the end ot' the trace.

ff represent two hooks formed on-the outer end of the plate C, and f f are two similar hooks formed on the outer end Ot' the plate U. 55 The two sets of hooksff and ff are turned in opposite-directions. each set forming ahalfbearing for the crossbar gof the cockeye, hook,

' or buckle, and both sets ot' hooks forming, when the plates are secured to the trace, a socket in 6o which the cross-bar g of the cockeye, hook, or buckle turns or rests. As shown in the drawings, the hooksff are arranged on the outer side of the hooks ff, and a sufficient opening,

li, is formed between the inner hooks,j`f, to permit the shank t' of the cockeye to play therein.. The ends of the hooksf close against projections j, formed on the Outer end of the plate C', so as to form a continuation of the hooksf fand close the opening thereof when theplates 7o C C are secured to the trace, and the ends of the hooks j" close against similar projections,

j', formed on the outer end ot' the plate C.

The flanges e of the plate C are provided with projections k, and the flanges cof the plate C are provided with recesses 7c', which receive the projections k, as clearly shown in Fig. l, and whereby the plates are retained in the proper relative position longitudinally.

The plate C is provided with a stud, Z, which 8o penetrates the trace and enters an opening, l', in the plate G, and which serves as an additional fastening connecting the plates with the trace. When the plates are disconnected from each other, the cockeye, hook, buckle, or other 8 5 device which is to be attached tothe trace or strap, is placed with its cross-Darin one set of the hooks. The other half ofthe clasp or coupling is then applied to the opposite side of the strap, whereby the socket containing the cross- 9o bar ofthe cockeye or other device is completed, and the plates are firmly secured tothe trace or strap by the screw or rivet d. Y

1f at any time it becomes desirable to substitute another device for the `cockeye, this is readily accomplished by removing the screw or rivet d and separating the plates. y

Each of the parts constituting my improved clasp or coupling is readily c'ast complete of malleableiron or other suitable metal,and the rco device forms a neat and durable trimming for l the strap, and avoids the necessity ot' doubling the strap around the cross-bar of the cockeye or other device, thereby effecting a saving both in leather and in labor.

1f desired, the socket may be constructed wholly upon one of the plates, and the other plate, when in place, may rest with its end againstthe end of the socket, whereby the cockeyeorother deviceiskeptin place; butin so constructing the clasp the strain or draft falls principally upon the plate upon which the socket is formed, and tends to disarra-nge the plates, and I therefore prefer to t'orni each plate with a portion of the socket.

The flanges along` the edges ot' both plates may be omitted, it' desired, or the flanges may be constructed wholly upon one ot' the plates, and the other plate'may rest upon the edges of the anges or between the Hannes; but I prefer/to construct both plates with flanges, as hereinbefore described.

l claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with'the plates C C', of the hooks ff', turned in opposite directions, and constructed to form a socket for a cockeye or other similar device when the plates are secured to opposite sides ot' the trace or strap, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination ot' two plates, C C', provided with hoolrsff, turned in opposite directions, and projections j j', against which the hooks close when the plates are secured to the trace or strap, substantially as set forth.

v The combination of two plates, C C', each provided with a portion of a socket for the receptiou of a ooclieye or similar device, and longitudinal flanges c e, adapted to overlap the edges ot' the strap to which the plates are secured, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of two plates, C Cf, each provided with a portion of a socket for the reception of a cockeye or similar device, flanges e, provided with projections k, and flanges e', providedwith recesses lo', substantially as set forth.

5. .The combination of two plates, C C', each provided with a portion of a socket for the reception ot' a eockeye or similar device, a stud, l, formed in one of the plates, an opening, Z', formed in the opposite plate, for the reception ot' the stud Z, and a screw or rivet, d, whereby the plates are secured to the strap, substantially as set forth.

JAMES M. BASINGER. 1Witnesses:

JN0. J. Bonner., Guns. F. Garne.l 

